The plan was to meet in a cottage in the Sierra around Madrid. Five of us, coming from three organisations that want to develop stronger and better relationships and a common dream.

The project idea came from the Pecha Kucha at the very first session of the Tandem formation meeting of Tandem Ukraine 2016… also in cottages, by a Lake in the beautiful forests of Ukraine. The crazy story of a residence on a Boat. It started with some good vibes between the people of these three organisations, a lot of laughing and common interests.

Instead of the beautiful winter sun I was expecting from the surrounding of Madrid in March, these two and a half shared days in the countryside had the feeling of a rainy Scottish cottage but it was for the best: beautiful walks in the sierra and the tiny traditional village, lots of talking and working in the house, warm and cosy.

From those shared days we developed more trust in each other, more knowledge of our backgrounds and interests and hopes. We literally lived together for those days and could feel the rhythm of each of us and each person’s way of working. Most importantly we could build each step of the project we hope to be able to develop together, one born on earth in a rain of hope and hopefully going to navigate soon on the sea under the sun of common dreams.